She heals Thwack with a word for 7hp. And then tries to get a sense of whether it would help to dispel any magic affecting him, or restoring him in a lesser way (this is more than a blind condition, but maybe poisoned or paralyzed?).

There does not appear to be any magic left to dispel upon Thwack, but the healing word brings him back to consciousness. Nevertheless, his eyes are both missing; his sight will not be restored short of a Regenerate spell or equivalent. He awakens, confused, disoriented, and hungry.

Gerrard:

Moving over and cradling Thwack’s head, Gerrard attempts to calm him.  “Your friends are with you, Thwack.  You were very brave and you have rescued Master Kei, but you were injured.  You need to rest and recover,” he says kindly.

Persuasion if needed to calm him down:12

Kei 

Pocketing the platinum passed to him he says "You'll have earned Ru's friendship with that much coin." He cracks the door open and whispers into the hallway knowing Ru would have someone lurking not far away. He hands some coins through the gap. "Take care of our friend, we have business in the city. There's more if no-one hears of our presence. I mean no-one." Kei closes the door without waiting for a response.

"So, since time is against us I guess we should get going." He reaches down to Thwack's head. "Thank you. You'll be safe here." He slips his hand from kobold to backpack and lifts not only his bag but Thwacks as well. "I doubt he'll need this" he murmurs as he shoulders both bags. "Shall we?"

Gerrard:

”Indeed,” says Gerrard, “We’ll follow your lead and get as far in as we can before baring steel.”  The young noble gets up, straightens his outfit, and prepares to head out once more into the city.

Thwack is quiet, exhausted, and traumatized by his experience. He allows Ruothild to lead him passively away, childlike, into another room in this subterranean lair.

It is growing dark outside as you exit into the city. The smog is particularly thick; your eyes water from the pungent chemicals hanging low in the air here in the Alchemists' Quarter. 

Where to?

Kei 

"If we're to get to the point with Mr Dory, his warehouse will be a good place to start. See if this mop gets us through the door" he scruffs at his still pink hair. He heads towards Hemlock Pit. "If ever you get lost here, just follow your nose. It'll lead you to the Pit".

As he walks, skirting from shadow to shadow he asks the others of the task they had been given. "So we think Dory is involved with these Lantern Murders?"

Gerrard:

Looking at round to make sure they are not overheard as he follow along, Gerrard answers, “I think it is most likely that Mister Dory is a businessman who overplayed his hand in the quest for more money and power, and he is now in thrall to the Aboleth.  I find it hard to believe one with such civic power would betray his city in this way willingly.”  

Reminding Kei of the cell wall drawings and the evidence of aquatic creature tracks and claw marks on the murder victims, he adds, “Though I suppose it is also possible he has made a deal for sole control of the city with this creature, and he cares little about the method used.”

Kei, Gerrard, and Boko head back out into the dark, tangled maze of alleys in the Alchemists' Quarter. They are chaotic, with wildly uneven cobbles, and stacked, sunken, lopsided  buildings stacked haphazardly on and against each other, spewing all manner of foul industrial discharges, and studded with dangerous holes over nasty-looking blackened canals, some covered with grates, others wide open. But Kei knows these streets very well. 

(Unless you all prefer otherwise, Peri and Qivys will remain behind with Thwack at Ruothild's, keeping an eye on the poor kobold. Of course, they may catch up and rejoin the party anytime they wish!) 

You again approach the warehouse, which seems to be just shutting down operations for the night. It's a three-story industrial-looking stone warehouse, dotted with iron-barred windows. Its walls and roof appear to be coated with a bituminous black gruel, probably a consequence of the pollution that belches from nearby alchemists’ workshops. The front of its grim, street-facing facade (perhaps 100 feet wide) boats a single pair of double doors. The whole front plaza appears to be a staging area for shipments, now wrapping up for the evening. A trio of grungy-looking humans are in the process of closing the doors, as a laden wagon is exiting the plaza.

Gerrard:

”Showtime,” says Gerrard quietly to Kei, preparing to play his part in the interaction (Help as appropriate).

Kei 

Kei indicates for the group to stop out of hearing range of the warehouse. He kneels and rummages through his pack whilst talking to his two friends. "Best bet is to just walk straight up like we're meant to be here." He casts a sideways glance at Boko. "You might want to...change into something a little more inconspicuous. As for you, My Leige, perhaps a drunken nobleman boasting of their position could be your role". He pulls his disguise kit from his pack and proceeds to reapply the gaudy make-up. 

When the three are ready Kei stands tall and walks directly towards the double doors. He doesn't pause when the three workers look up. If they speak he simply states "Here to see the boss".

Deception 25

Quote from Scott_R_Simmons >>

Gerrard:

”Showtime,” says Gerrard quietly to Kei, preparing to play his part in the interaction (Help as appropriate).

 Now disguised somewhat, Gerrard does his best drunken noble imitation to support Kei’s deception.

Boko nods at Kei, still getting used to his return. She bends down out of sight and wildshapes into a firefly, and flies to the top of Gerard’s head. She prepares to dart off to scout inside if she sees a pathway. If possible she works out a communication pattern with the group where a short light is a way to attract attention, a long light is yes, and two long lights is no.

The trio approach the warehouse doors – Kei in his full cake-makeup Moonbeam attire, Gerrard as a drunken noble (Gerrard: make a Performance check!), and Boko as a firefly perched on Gerrard's head. 

As a wagon departs, the three human workers look to Kei with confusion. "Chumwell? She just left. What's going on? Who's this? Where's Hort? They were looking for you earlier."  

The double doors behind them are shut but appear unlocked.

(Any gaps in the doors at top or bottom or between?)

Gerrard’s Perform Check:  6

There is indeed a firefly-sized gap at the bottom of the double doorway to the warehouse.

Gerrard does a pretty ham-fisted imitation of a drunkard; the three workers eye him curiously.

Kei 

" Hort? Don't talk to me about Hort. Useless oaf, went and got himself blind drunk on some home made booze. Last I saw he was curled up near the hearth nusing one nasty headache." Kei feigns disgust as he continues. "That's why I'm late, trying to get him roused. I'll just head up now. This one's got a story to tell 'em they won't want to miss" he motions to Gerrard. Without another word he walks past the workers and grabs at the door in attempt to open it.

Deception 11 If needed again

Performance 25 If preferred. 

Gerrard:

Having made a hash of trying to look drunk while sober, Gerrard realizes he has much more often tries the reverse.  He stumbles along after Kei, more or less ignoring the 3 workers.

The three workers don't try to stop Kei, but they seem confused and somewhat alarmed. 

"What?" says one. "Hort ain't here! We're closin' up! Chumwell left. Who are you lookin' for? The lions will be out soon. What are you doing?"

Kei opens the warehouse doors. The interior is piled high with crates, boxes, and packages, most marked with alchemists’ personal symbols and “FRAGILE” or “HANDLE WITH CARE.” A closed door offers a way into a walled-in area to the northwest. A mechanical lift stands along the south wall to the east, and two iron spiral staircases rise from the northeast and southwest corners. There is no workers inside.

Kei 

Ignoring the workers questioning, Kei enters the storeroom. Once Gerrard is in he closes the door before speaking. "Well, we're in. What now?" Then with a slight chuckle 'When were finished with this remind me to give you some acting lessons. Never know, you might make a court performer yet."

He makes his way to the NW door and gently tries the handle but does not open the door.

Stealth 22 If needed for the sneaking quietly.